Abstract: A filler-provided bead forming apparatus include a cylindrical drum, a transport device for transferring a belt-shaped filler to the proximity of one end of the drum, a pair of grasping units for grasping both ends of the filler arranged on the transport device, respectively, and moving device for moving the grasping units grasping the filler and wrapping the filler around the drum such that the filler is lying on the drum and a bottom end of the filler on a thicker side thereof is in register with the one end of the drum and further for butt joining longitudinal ends of the filler.

Abstract: A method for forming an automobile bead assembly comprises three series of steps. The first series includes placing a bead ring onto the smaller-diameter side surface of a taper drum, winding a bead filler around the peripheral surface of the taper drum such that the thick-walled portion thereof projects over the smaller diameter surface of the drum, bonding the ends of the filler together, bending the thick-walled portion along the smaller-diameter side edge to join it to the bead ring, and separating the front end portion of the filler from the peripheral surface of the drum. The second series includes winding a side ply around the outer periphery of a cylindrical forming drum, bonding the ends together, winding a bead flipper around the side ply while part of the flipper overlaps the side ply, and joining the ends of the flipper together.

Abstract: An improved machine for fabricating tire carcasses.

Abstract: A method of bending back a tire component, comprising a step in which the diameters of a pair of cylindrical bodies, whose diameters can be increased and decreased, are decreased to a minimum value to hold beads by the bodies, respectively, and the beads are set in prescribed positions on the component wound on a forming drum; a step in which the diameters of the bodies are increased to an intermediate value and the bladders of the drum are inflated so that the component is pinch-held at both side edges thereof by the bladders and the bodies; a step in which the bodies are moved to positions located nearly outside the beads in the radial directions of the bodies, so that both the side edges of the component are moved outward in the radial directions of the bodies as the component remains in pressure contact with the beads near the side edges; and a step in which the diameters of the bodies are increased to a maximum value and the bodies are thereafter moved toward the longitudinally central portion of the dru

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a tire in which a carcass ply is formed by winding a continuous cord around a pair of spaced members to form a ply (31) having loops (36) at its edges. The cord ply is rubberized and support elements (32) (33) are located in the loops (36) to form a cylindrical ply having spaced hooped support elements at each ply edge. Bead wire assemblies (40) and (41) are located coaxially of the ply together with the support elements which are subsequently incorporated in the bead wire assemblies.There is also provided a tire building former on which the above method can be performed. The former (100) comprises at least three coaxial discs (101), (102), (106) for supporting a carcass ply 30 on their radially outer surfaces. The central disc (106) is axially movable between the two other discs so as to support a portion of an elastomeric ply (103) helically wound onto the former (100) from a strip (104).

Abstract: A rotatably supported annular tire bead is rotated by drive rollers held in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the bead, and during rotation of the bead a tape is fed and stuck onto the inner circumferential surface of the bead. The opposite side edge portions of this tape extending from this bead are stuck onto the opposite side surfaces of the bead by being pinched from the opposite sides by flange portions of the drive rollers and flange members opposed thereto, subsequently the opposite side edge portions of the tape are folded back onto the outer circumferential surface of the bead by means of scraper members, and thus the bead is perfectly covered by the tape. The above-mentioned flange members are fitted around the drive rollers so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and they are biased to reduce the intervals between the flange members and the flange portions of the drive rollers. Furthermore, there is provided expanding means for expanding the above-mentioned intervals.

Abstract: Elastomer structures having exposed controlled surface release characteristics can be made by coating at least a portion of their surface with a releasing composition comprising (a) a chlorosulphonated polymer; (b) a reinforcing filler and (c) a green tackifying agent. Optionally, these compositions can also contain a chemical curing system and one or more volatile solvent/diluent viscosity-reducing vehicle. In a specific example, the coating are applied to flexible structures used in machines for the manufacture of articles having natural tack due to their rubber or elastomer content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tire in which an inner circumference of a tire carcass is wrapped around a tire bead by being grasped by an expanding air bladder against a stopper plate. The stopper plate, with the bladder still inflated is raised relative to the bead and main tire carcass and then moved into the annular portion of the tire carcass to encase the bead.

Abstract: The manufacture of a reinforcement for a tire comprises the following ste s:(a) a continuous cord is hooked to retention means disposed in two circles which are a distance apart which corresponds to the length of the path of a cord from one side of the reinforcement to the other so that the cord, disposed in this way, defines a cylinder by a plurality of passes back and forth from one retention means to another,(b) by a suitable movement of the retention means, the cord which is disposed in this way is folded back on and around a core defining the shape of the inner surface of the tire,(c) the anchoring of the cord being assured, the retention means are released.

Abstract: A spring finger ply down for a tire building machine comprising an annular array of spring fingers, an annular support for the fingers and a constrictable clamp for securing each finger to the support at an axial interference between each finger and the support. The constrictable clamp includes an elastic band stretched circumferentially around the fingers and/or a clamping ring of relatively inextensible material that is adjustably constricted or cinched around the fingers or, if used, the elastic band for holding rigidly or relatively rigidly the fingers to the support. The elastic band is locally radially deformable to permit radial release of the axial interference for easy insertion and removal of a finger without disturbing adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method employing a tire building drum for receiving at least one ply of tire material having an edge overhanging an axial end of the drum, a bladder turn-up mechanism extending axially outwardly from the drum, an annular array of radially contractible ply-down fingers movable axially to and from a position encircling the overhanging ply edge, and an axially movable ring device operative first to effect radial contraction of the ply-down fingers to turn the ply edge down over the end of the drum, then to set a tire bead against the turned down ply edge at the end of the drum, and then to push the bladder of the turn-up mechanism when inflated to cause the ply edge to be progressively wrapped around the bead and then over the drum.

Abstract: A tire building drum (10) has a central shaft (13) and a pair of end drum assemblies (12) mounted for axial movement along the shaft. The end drum assemblies (12) include a main sleeve (19) slideable on the shaft (13), and an annular housing (24) mounted on the sleeve to form an annular chamber (32) surrounding the sleeve (19) which houses an annular piston (31). There is an annular expansion means (bead seating segments) (27) mounted on the housing (24) which are moved radially by a ramp means (35) attached to the piston (31). This ramp means (35) have a cam surface (29) thereon comprising an inclined radially outer portion (29a) and a convex arcuate radially inner portion (29b). Further, the end drum assemblies have annular bladders (39), (41), (42), and (44) thereon that each have solid annular lip portions (51, 52) (61, 62), (63), (64 ) respectively, by which they are secured to the end drum assemblies.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method employing a tire building drum for receiving at least one ply of tire material having an edge overhanging an axial end of the drum, a bladder turn-up mechanism extending axially outwardly from the drum, an annular array of radially contractible ply-down fingers movable axially to and from a position encircling the overhanging ply edge, and an axially movable ring device operative first to effect radial contraction of the ply-down fingers to turn the ply edge down over the end of the drum, then to set a tire bead against the turned down ply edge at the end of the drum, and then to push the bladder of the turn-up mechanism when inflated to cause the ply edge to be progressively wrapped around the bead and then over the drum.

Abstract: A tire building machine and method characterized by the employment of a rigid annular bead support at each end of and coaxial with the axis of a tire building drum for holding a tire bead in round and centered to the drum axis during bead placement, after bead placement and during a subsequent ply turn-up operation. The bead support preferably is in the form of a precision machined register ring preferably supported independently of the drum and having a radially outer bead support surface which extends slightly axially beyond a shoulder end face of the drum in radially inwardly offset relation to such end face. During bead placement and/or limited axial outward movement of the register ring, the register ring serves to wipe and firmly stitch interposed ply material to the inner diameter of the tire bead. During such wiping action, the bead may be axially held in place by an inflating turn-up bladder or by a bead setter utilized to set the bead at the drum end.

Abstract: A method for forming tires by the use of a tire-forming machine having a drum bladder and a turnup bladder. An organic halogen compound having in the molecule thereof a ##STR1## bond, in which X represents a halogen atom, is applied to the surfaces of the drum bladder and turnup bladder of the machine to form a layer of the organic halogen compound, whereby unvulcanized rubber for tires is prevented from sticking to said bladders during the formation of tires form the unvulcanized rubber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic tires comprising a carcass formed of reinforcing plies and bead cores are disclosed. The tire carcass is built up around a first drum in cylindrical configuration and bead cores are applied to the carcass. The carcass is transferred telescopically to and around a second expandable drum. The carcass is then torically shaped and the ends of the plies turned-up around the bead cores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in the manufacture of pneumatic tires, in which a pair of tire bead assemblies are held in accurately spaced relationship against opposite ends of a tube. Tire carcass material carried on an expansible former is located within the tube and expanded to engage the bead assemblies, projecting ends of the carcass material being turned radially outwardly around the bead assemblies while the bead assemblies are supported by the tube.

Abstract: A tire building drum is described as having, a plurality of radially movable bead lock segments at each end of the drum for holding the tire bead rings during the turn-up operation, a pair of turn-up bladders, and a pair of carriers which work in conjunction with the bead lock segments and turn-up bladders to tension the ply endings of the unvulcanized carcass ply or plies as the ply endings are turned up and reversely wrapped around the tire bead rings to anchor the rings to the unvulcanized tire carcass for further processing.

Abstract: A tire building drum is described as having a unique mechanism for controlling the radial movement of the bead lock segments which are designed to hold the tire bead rings firmly, in position, during the tune-up operation. The mechanism includes an annular support member which is disposed concentrically around the longitudinal center axis of the drum adjacent opposing ends of the drum, and which has a number of raceways that are radially oriented in relation to said center axis. The raceways are equally, angularly spaced about said axis and are designed to slidably receive a bead lock segment on which a cam roller is freely mounted for rotation. The mechanism also includes an annular scroll member which is disposed concentrically around said axis in side-by-side parallel relation with each of the support members.

Abstract: A ply-turning device for use in tire-building is disclosed herein which is adapted to turnup a surplus portion of a carcass ply around a bead core in the manufacture of large size tires each having a pair of axially protruding side portions. The device comprises a plurality of ply-turning vanes being arranged concentrically to a first drum for the formation of a green case and circumferentially in the form of a cylinder at a collapsed position and being movable from the collapsed position to an opened position of a frustoconical shape in opposition to each axially protruding side edge portion of the drum by means of link means, a hydraulically driving means moving toward and away from the drum, and a retractably moving means for moving all the ply-turning vanes together with the link means.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic tires comprising a carcass formed of reinforcing plies and bead cores are disclosed. The tire carcass is built up around a first drum in cylindrical configuration and bead cores are applied to the carcass. The carcass is transferred telescopically to and around a second expandable drum. The carcass is then torically shaped and the ends of the plies turned-up around the bead cores.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire comprises a first process including the steps of forming a carcass ply or the like to a cylindrical configuration, placing bead cores on the cylindrical carcass ply and then effecting assembly of a carcass ply-bead core structure. A second process of the method includes the steps of receiving the structure from the last step in the first process, effecting assembly of a cylindrical carcass layer and then deforming the latter into a trochoidal configuration to obtain a green tire, wherein the carcass ply located between both the bead cores on the structure is caused to expand either in the first process or in the second process. The structure is placed on a drum device in the second process, the bead cores are wrapped with the end portions of the carcass ply and then the green tire for the radial tire is assembled by attaching side wall members or the like.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a bladder which is to be disposed on each of axially opposite end portions of a tire building machine having a tire building drum, respectively, and is employed for turning back a ply cord bound on the tire building drum of the tire building machine, comprising of the steps of binding a bladder material on a cylindrical member, the bladder material being reinforced with cords and unvulcanized, the cylindrical member having two annular grooves formed in the outer peripheral portion thereof, binding a cloth belt containing water around the outer peripheral surface of the bladder material so that the bladder material is shaped conformingly to the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical member and the two annular grooves, vulcanizing in a vulcanizing vessel the bladder material to form two annular ridges on the bladder material conformingly to the shape of the annular groove, and taking out the bladder material from the vulcanizing vessel and turning back the bladder material around

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for producing reinforcement for cast tires and a method for the production of reinforced cast tires having bead rings, from castable elastomers, the tire inside the mold being restricted by a core during the formation, characterized in that before the toroidal tire core is installed into the mold, the reinforcement and the bead rings are applied thereto. First, the two bead wires are enclosed by a piece of cut fabric which is adapted to the size of the tire, the warp threads in the fabric running substantially perpendicular to the bead rings, then two sides of the fabric are joined, such that the jointure seam runs substantially parallel to the weft direction, as a result of which, both bead wires are connected via the piece of fabric.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire which comprises:a tread portion; a breaker structure to brace the tread portion; two sidewalls each having an associated bead containing a bead core, and each sidewall containing a reinforcing ply of cords anchored around the bead core of the respective one of said associated beads and extending into the tread portion radially outwardly of the breaker structure to overlap at least part of the width of the breaker structure but terminating short of the other of said associated beads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for applying an envelope-type wrapping to tire bead rings. The apparatus and method are particularly useful when the wrapping material is to be applied directly over a lubricant coating on the bead ring. The apparatus includes a radially expansible drum, and an inflatable bladder that covers the drum and is interposed, along with the wrapping material, between the bead ring and the drum. According to the method of the invention, the bladder is inflated and rolled over in a desired sequence of steps to apply an envelope wrapping to the bead ring.

Abstract: An improved bicycle tire which can be folded for storage and transportation while maintaining the same running properties as a conventional tire. A plurality of bead cores made of a cord tensile member embedded in the bead section of the tire are provided by winding three to five turns of a cord tensile member having a low elongation ratio and high strength and which has been twisted one to two turns/10 cm in such a manner that the start and finish ends of the bead core overlap one another by 60 to 150 mm. The bead core preferably has a cut elongation of 5% or less and the strength of 300 kg/core.

Abstract: A tire forming drum provided with two half drums axially mobile relative to each other and arranged to support on their outer periphery tubular plies of a carcass to be formed, each half drum being arranged to produce automatic folding of the relative end of said tubular plies about a respective annular bead by means of a respective multiple air chamber element rigid at one end with an outer flange of the relative half drum, and at the other end with a tubular support member mobile under the thrust of said multiple air chamber element between a retracted rest position inside said flange and an extracted working position in which said tubular member projects axially outward from the relative half drum.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic tire and improved method for building same on a high crown building drum. The lower bead portion of the tire is provided with an additional reinforcing ply structure which is wrapped about a substantially inextensible bead wire.An improved method of building a tire on a high crown building drum wherein the additional reinforcing ply structure in the bead area is placed in tension during vulcanization.

Abstract: The tire building machine comprises a tire building drum or shaper, annular bladders adjacent each end and a bead setter and bladder pusher mechanism movable axially of the drum selectively to set a tire bead in proper position and to push and effectively roll the bladder when inflated to cause the ply edges of the tire to be wrapped about the bead without air entrapment and stitched securely. Such mechanism includes a bead setting and pushing ring mounted for axial movement and hydraulic actuators are provided for effecting such movement. The ring has a flat face, a short axially extending radially inner annular surface or shelf for restricting expansion of a portion of the bladder rearwardly of the face when inflated thereunder, and a rounded inner peripheral edge or bead projecting beyond the shelf which grips the bladder when inflated to prevent relative sliding movement of the bladder and ring during bladder push.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tire building apparatus (10) and preferred method for building a tire. The apparatus includes a longitudinally movable carriage (12), a guideway (20) for the longitudinal movement of the carriage, a headstock (14) mounted on the carriage, a tire assembly drum (11) having an inboard end (29) and an outboard end (28), and a drum support (15) mounted on the carriage. A plurality of operation stations (A-G) are spaced longitudinally along the guideway, and mechanical datum (30), fixedly located at each operation station, are provided to engage mechanical locators (31) secured to the carriage. A bladder (42) is provided selectively to cause engagement of the locators with the mechanical datum at each successive station to locate the tire assembly drum precisely with respect to the operation station.

Abstract: A tire building machine has a dual bladder ply turn-up mechanism including radially inner and outer annular bladders mounted on a radially stepped annular support. Each bladder is fully contour molded and has imbedded in its radially inner wall a plurality of circumferentially spaced flanged inserts adapted for connecting and positioning the bladder on the support. Each bladder further includes position stabilizers in the form of inelastic cinch bands which include openings through which the inserts extend and the outer bladder may also include an annular girdle to improve bladder rolling characteristics. Also provided is a one-piece manifolded bladder support which includes a radially stepped cylindrical support surface for the bladders and internal porting means for bladder inflation.

Abstract: A tire building apparatus having two end drums disposed on respective opposite sides of an intermediate drum, with the intermediate drum embodying an expandable sleeve for pneumatically expanding and supporting the portion of a tire carcass to be disposed between the beads of a completed tire, and with the end drums carrying bead lock clamping members and ply turn-up bags that are movable inwardly toward the longitudinal center of the apparatus during the aforementioned expanding of the tire carcass, the bags being of dual-compartment construction, having inner compartments for effecting ply turn-up operations at air pressures greater than the air pressure for expanding and supporting the sleeve, and outer compartments for effecting additional sidewall-applying operations at internal air pressure less than the pressures in the inner compartments, and with the components of the intermediate drum and end drums being readily removable and replaceable for changing the size of the tire to be produced by the appara

Abstract: A folded fabric reinforcement member provides a plurality of reinforcing layers equivalent to at least one ply and at least one breaker of a conventional bias tire or at least one ply and at least one belt of a conventional radial or bias-belted tire. The cord angle of the belts is less than that of the ply and results from offsetting one outer zone of a fabric sheet from the other before impregnating the central zone thereof with elastomeric material and folding thereof to form a folded fabric reinforcement member.

Abstract: In the two-stage manufacture of radial ply tires, the sidewall stock is applied to the cylindrical tire body on a mandrel so as to overlie the turned over ply ends and extend beyond them, and while the mandrel is stationary, the sidewalls are bonded to the underlying plies by inflating bladder assemblies so as to cause them to press the sidewall stock against the underlying plies.

Abstract: A second stage building drum assembly (10) mounted on a rotatable drive shaft (15) for the application of belts and the like to a carcass includes a drum (12) rotatably carried by the drive shaft (15) for mounting a carcass (143) and first and second belt guide ply rings (13 and 14) reciprocably movable with respect to the drum. Further provided are means (30) for reciprocably moving one side (32) of the drum (12) with respect to the other (33) and, means (22, 23 and 96) for moving the first and second belt guide ply rings into engagement with the drum (12) for the application of at least one belt (154) to a carcass (143) mounted thereon.

Abstract: A light weight pneumatic tire having a thin side wall rubber is disclosed. The thin side wall rubber has previously been squeezed on that region of the outer surface of an upper ply which corresponds to the side wall portion of the tire prior to the tire shaping step, and has a Shore A hardness after vulcanization of 40.degree. to 55.degree., an excellent flex-cracking and weather resistant property. The upper ply is superimposed about at least a portion extending from a hump portion to a bead portion is composed of cords coated with a high resilient rubber. A tread rubber layer is extended across the thin side wall rubber layers and pressed and made integral therewith by stitching.

Abstract: A tire building machine of the expandable bead lock type employs an elastomeric specially shaped radially expanding bead lock including a shaping and turning bladder which includes an air passage system therethrough. The elastomeric bead lock is confined for radial expansion in an annular outwardly opening chamber in the form of an isosceles trapezoid in radial section with the elastomeric bead lock being of similar configuration and expanded by direct application of air pressure within the chamber. The configuration of the annular chamber and the bead lock compensate for stretching of the bead lock upon enlargement. The edges of the bead lock at the axial sides of the chamber are undercut for flexibility while the walls of the chamber are specially coated to maintain the seal. The bead lock incorporates interconnected metallic segment side plates which not only limit the stroke of the moving seal but insure stability axially of the bead and provide the desired concentricity.

Abstract: A flat cylindrical carcass band is built on a cylindrical surface provided by a unique shaping means and abutting turnup means. The shaping means has inner and outer walls the ends of which are juxtaposed solid elastomeric end rings so as to form an annular envelope. The outer wall has between its inner and outer layers an arrangement of spring blades of particular shape formed to control the toroidal shape of the expanded outer wall to a precisely determined contour. The turnup means each include an inner and an outer bladder the edges of each being also juxtaposed solid elastomeric end rings. The end rings of each turnup means are seated with the associated end rings of the shaping means in a common retaining groove formed in a circumferential set of radially extendable segments which expand the end rings and the overlying carcass to conform the carcass initially about prelocated bead cores.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tubular tires for bicycles and motorcycles, includes the steps of:laying bead steel wires longitudinally on a first or inner sheet of a tire casing and adjacent the edges thereof;folding the longitudinal marginal portions of the first or inner sheet of the casing around the bead wires in order to cover the wires completely;laying a second or intermediate sheet on top of the first or inner sheet, the longitudinal edges of the second sheet projecting well beyond the in-turned longitudinal edges of the first sheet;laying a casing tread on the thus superposed sheets;shaping the tire assembly thus obtained by imparting a horseshoe configuration thereto, as seen in cross-section;introducing an uncured inner air tube into the casing;closing the tire by assembling by welding the side edges of the second or intermediate sheet projecting from the casing; andvulcanizing the assembly.

Abstract: A tire building drum having radially expandable shoulder forming means and radially expandable bead seating means. The drum includes an independently operable pair of annular pistons associated respectively with the shoulder forming means and the bead setting means such that the shoulder forming means can be operated independently in time, in radial extent and in force applied, of the bead seating means. The latter is in like manner operable independently in time, in radial extent, and in force applied at the bead setting means. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: Tendency of a tire bead core to be rotated by the tire ply wrapped around the core, when the tire is expanded from a cylindrical or collapsed state to its normal toroidal operating state, particularly after the tire is cured, is inhibited, or eliminated by arrangement of the ply relative to the bead core which disposes the ply tension force direction at or nearly at the bead core centerThe foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: A building drum assembly (10) mounted on a rotatable driveshaft (14) for the production of a cylindrical carcass (70) includes a drum (11) rotatably carried by the driveshaft (14) for receiving carcass material (60), a bead receiving area (16), means (53) for expanding the drum (11) and means (12 and 13) for turning carcass material (60) over a bead (64). Further provided are means (25 and 36) for the accurate positioning and securing of a bead (64) and means (24 and 25) for providing a substantially uniform and continuous support surface (19) for receiving the carcass material (60).A method is also provided for the operation of the assembly and includes the steps of rotating the drum (11), applying a carcass material (60) to the drum (11), placing a bead (64) over the bead receiving area (16), expanding the drum (11), securing the bead (64) and turning a carcass material (60) over the bead (64).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a tire carcass comprising a precarcass band and a pair of inextensible bead rings. The band is built and consolidated on a form having a rigid cylindrical surface. The band includes at least one cord or wire-reinforced ply and one or more tire liners of a rubbery gum, and may include additional tire components, in particular the components which will form the sidewalls of the tire. The band is removed from its building form and then moved axially freely over a shaping apparatus. An axially narrow central part of the band is expanded sufficiently to resist axial displacement of the band, which is then spread and smoothed outward from its central part by expanding and then moving outwardly a pair of expandable spreading elements.

Abstract: An improved tire building method is provided whereby the nonwicking finishing strip is placed on the building drum first before the remaining components are applied to the drum. Once the carcass plies and the bead core are positioned on the drum, the finishing strip is turned up around the bead core to effectively seal off the inflation chamber of the tire. The method of this invention is especially useful for tires built on flat cylindrical drums.

Abstract: A wrapping over device for use with a rotatable solid body tire assembly drum. The wrapping over device includes an arcuate support having at least three conical finger elements mounted thereon. The finger elements are positioned progressively closer to an axial centerline of the tire assembly drum in a direction of rotation of the drum. A pressing roller is rotatably mounted on the support at a position between the conical fingers. A pivot drive pivotally mounts the support for rotation about an axis disposed at right angles to the assembly drum axial centerline. A parallel drive means mounts the pivot drive means for movement in a direction parallel to the tire assembly drum axial centerline.

Abstract: A tire building machine of the expandable bead lock type employs an elastomeric specially shaped radially expanding bead lock which includes an air passage system therethrough. The bead locks are expanded by a pneumatic tube which seats the bead lock against reentrant shoulder stops securing the bead locks in their expanded condition both precisely radially and axially with respect to the two centerlines of the machine. Such bead locks may be used in connection with an expandable axially fixed center deck for first stage operations or in connection with a substantially rigid axially expandable and contractible center deck for single stage operations. The bead locks may also be employed for second stage operations. For a single stage machine, the preferred form of center deck includes axially oppositely extending fingers which slide in respective slots in the center support forming a substantially rigid working surface.

Abstract: A drum to build and form a belted tire, having a central support element, the central portion of which consists of radially slidable segments, and two bead retainers arranged at both sides of said support element, the spacing of said bead retainers being axially adjustable symmetrically with respect to the support element, the bead retainers having, at their circumference, radially expandable, integrally formed rings arranged to be brought into engagement with the tire in an air-tight manner, wherein the support element has an integrally formed rigid cases between the central portion and the bead retainers, the rigid cases being fixedly connected to the side of the bead retainers facing the central portion, the contact face of each rigid case facing the central portion being bevelled, the segments of the central portion which are arranged between the two cases engage the bevelled contact faces of the cases, are retained by springs and are similarly bevelled at the place of contact with the cases, whereby when

Abstract: A tire building apparatus is provided having an improved mechanism for turning up the plies of the tire carcass and wrapping them around each tire bead ring. The mechanism is designed so that it can also be used to apply the sidewall pads to the expanded carcass of a radial tire. The improved mechanism includes a bladder that has a molded conical portion in its outer fold adjacent the building drum. This conical portion extends very close to the bead ring positioned adjacent the carcass at the sides of the drum shoulders. The improved mechanism also includes a control ring insert placed inside said bladder and radially inwardly from the conical portion of the outer bladder fold. When the bladder is inflated to wrap the carcass plies around the bead ring, the control ring insert and the molded conical portion of the outer bladder fold combine to provide an improved, tighter wrapping of the carcass plies around the bead ring.

Abstract: A process is provided for turning-up sidestrips and the ends of body plies on the sidewalls of a torus-shaped tire body. The body of the tire is expanded circumferentially, the ends are turned over and the sidewall strips are stitched simultaneously.An apparatus for practicing the process has a device provided with a support for the assembly which turns-up the sidestrips and ends of the body plies which permits insertion and removal of the assembly in the cavity of the tire.